teracted with earlier, it still didn’t hinder

ation, especially if I didn’t do anything weird or if that person offended me. There was something

er argument. Still, my puzzling mind couldn’t stop thinking how awkward the situation was between the two of us. And

yet, the ambience the cafe was giving off was so serene enough to calm me down.

Lily—one of Kayla’s staff—who immedia

y. The weather would agree with me,”

taking up a Literature degree in university. I often help and advise her with her papers, especially if she’s having difficulty unders

y responded and changed the music in

hat’s

bably take it now before I leave for my next class,” Li

. You bette

er you helped me with last time was amazing! My profe

smiled at her. “Now, off

ice day,

massive cameras of different brands hanging on their shoulders. Just how big those cameras were? Like, how are they able to carry such big

shouted the mom

laid on the table; fresh berries, like raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, and

aned and eyed the plastic bags I was carrying,

etty argument with a strang

e thing she was doing and faced me.

ally have t

I'm tired of being your cupid! You’re always neglec

. How’s everything going so far? What was that bad thing you were talking about on the

rawberry-flavoured smoothies are so good! So, strawberry pies would taste great too! And I think blackberries and raspberries taste amazing too. I d

n, you’re thinking of expanding. But for me, you don’t even need to test them out, anyway. Your pastries are t

ore concrete plan than just

ey make a great sale, t

nother date!" Kayla yelled at me before cutting the pie she

oft but crunchy crust of the pie. “I'm bad at differentiating berries, so what’s this one?” I asked Ka

ng this before, it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to be, but I gue

resident of the school’s baking club, and their pastries were always so popular among kids and even tea

icious, Kayla,” I gi

Should I add this to the

e pan. “I never liked berries before, but you made this

tic, Misty! It’s

y slapped my arm. She l

d before we finished tasting all of the recipes Kayla did, with chit-chats in between. Kayla did not disappoint me, though. I’m not a professional baker like her,

I ordered from Ahjumma’s Plate. But then, we thought

time? Did your senior developmental editor approve or accept your suggestions?” Kay

on the manuscript that was assigned to me,” I scowl

Ms. Brooke?” Kayla reckoned

offed, rolling my eyes at

she say thi

you, please? Or else, you would cause trouble because that is not the type you usually work with. I mean,

’s right,”

ha

s go outside and eat,” Kayla

still hungr

*

ker, but it amazed me how pretty it still looked. Inside the cafe, pieces of jazz music were still playing—the playlist Lily

when she could’ve stayed and supported him in the process. Like, if you truly loved a person, you’re also willing to take risks, while making sure both of you grow. I mean,

d you sounded like you’ve gone through that when you never

hot chocolate? I’ll pay! I feel like my stomach

ean. He’s the one on shi

while checking my wallet for my card. I co

rd, wher

lize that we had fallen on the floor; that person was slightly on top of me. I felt that some of his i

s!” I shouted, which m

correctly, but I started

orry,

know tha

n I wore my eyeglasses back, I saw a man wearing all black from head to toe, kneeling in fro

must be joking w

all p

i

ai

g that he was the same rude, slas

te let us

ead,” he taunted with

eally are flirting

th st

Give me a reason,” he uttere

y. That’s a start for

is lips go up like he was

shirt when he realized that it wasn’t the best thing to do. He immediately jus

looke

et and sticky arms. “Oh, no. I’ve got no extra shirt with me,” I sa

yla asked and elbowed me while lookin

I didn’t mean it,” the man explained as he was getting arrested. I couldn’t see his face

extra shirt?” I directed to Kayla, but she just smiled creepily. I gave her

for something in his backpack. “I have a clean t-shi

ew glances at each other

h it later and give it

was my mistake,”

him, anyway,” Kayla said with a bit of

u,” I said sincerely to

y again,” the man uttered

na replace your drin

ease,” he an

y, realizing the sudden change of attitude compared to earlier. His broad shoulders immediately caught my attention.

just gonna s

hen Kayla’s face suddenly

d her fing

isty! Go change your

et, and carefully splashed my arms and chest with water. There was no available towel inside, so

cm from what I observed. His t-shirt looked knee-length

” I said to myself while p

lunch yet since I arrived

m door, the man was still

eted me, which shocke

o you haven't left yet

. What is he st

cardigan,” he said with an eye smile. He was still wearing

m good now,” I assured him and intended to walk back to our table, but he

said ‘rude’ with a bit of emphasis, purposely trying to teas

e you even telling me

e just flirt, then

my heart w

hat a

en for a f

rehead,” he uttered and

op

the ca

’s not t

sty outside,” he stated si

pinch on my heart